Collator rack



sept. 25, 1951 L, W EVANS 2,568,996

OOOOOOOOOO CK Sept. 25, 1951 Filed OCT.. 7, 1946 l.. W. EVANS` COLLATORRACK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 25, 1951 W, EVANS 2,568,996

COLLATOR RACK Filed Oct. 7, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 25,1951 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to adjustable and coly W durable construction,comparatively simplev and inexpensive to manufacture,- and;adapte'dfforVa wide variety of uses in filing, printing, binding, and general ofiiceprocedures,

In its preferred embodiments the invention'l`r` contemplates theprovision of an extensible, collapsible, and adjustable rack embodying alazytong structure and having a plurality of horizontal, vertical, orinclined partitions, leaves, or shelves which present a series ofcompartments in which papers or cards to be led, sorted or collated maybe received. The lazy-tong structure may be completely collapsed forshipment or storage, or it may be partly folded or collapsed foradjustment of size for the reception of contents of diifernt grades andquantities. Also in some cases the rack may be partially folded togetherupon the papers or other articles in the compartments when they are tobe stored or temporarily disposed within a filing cabinet, desk, or thelike. In all of the embodiments ofthe invention the lazy-tong structureis fundamental, and in all cases the basic partition or leaf kelementsof this structure comprise U- shaped members or wickets of bowed orarched construction which extend upon the outward portion of the racksome distance beyond the points of pivotal connection with the otherlazytong elements. The last named lazy-tong elefments which perform aconnecting function may Vin adjusted positions, and means for affordingsupplemental support for the rack when it is disposed in vertical,horizontal, or tilted positions.

Other objects and features of novelty will be ,apparent from thefollowing specification when L:'tead in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustratedby way of example. In the drawings, y AFigure 1 is a viewy inperspective of a rack embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevaton of the rack shown in Figure 1, butin collapsed condition; Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view throughone of the joints of the rack;

Figure 4 is'a view in side elevation of another embodiment of theinvention in which certain of the link or connecting elements formingparts of the lazy-tong structure, are extended to provide legs forsupporting the rack so that the partitions or shelves are disposedhorizontally for the reception of papers or the like;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of 'a modi'- fication in whichothers of the lazy-tong elements are extended to provide legs forsupporting the rack forthe reception of papers invertical position;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further modviiicationinwhichrcertain of the oppositely inclined'lazy-tong elements are extendeduntil they meet vand are pivotally connected to provide a collapsibleself-supporting rack with slightly tilted shelves or partitions;

Figure 7 is a View in perspective of a rack similar to the one shown inFigure 6, in collapsed condition;y

Figure 8 is a View in side Ielevation of the rack shown in Figure 6 withthe supplemental pivoted leg let down for support in true horizontalposition; and T Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of the rack shownin Figures 6 and 8 adapted for suspension from a wall with thepartitions in vertical position.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is y illustrated an* embodimentof the invention which verted U-shaped elements 43 and the pairsofoppositely disposed links 44. Of course all'of the cooperating elementscould be formed as infverted U-shaped wickets with the side portions 45and the bowed cross portions 46, but it is not necessary tocross-connect the rack at each lower point of pivotal connection;therefore, the alternately provided simple link elements 44 may be used.

As clearly disclosed'in the or connecting members 43 and 44 areconsiderably shorter `than the partition forming members 40. The members43 and 44, except at the extreme ends of the rack, are provided withopenings at their upper, lower, and intermediate points. The members 40are provided with openings at their lower ends upon veach side thereofand are provided with openings spaced from the drawings the link lowerends a distance substantially equal-tothe lengths of the connectingmembers 43 and 44. Other openings are provided in the side portions 4|of the members 40 to'coincide with the intermediate openings in themembers 43 and 44. At all points where these openings in the members40and in the members 43 and 44 register, they are pivotally connected asby means of the rivets 50.

At the forward end of the rack the foremost extended U-shaped wicketmember 40 is provided at its lower end with a transverse rod 5| whichconnects the lower ends' of its side portions 4I. At this same end ofthe device the connecting link portion is comprised by an inverted U-shaped wicket member 53 having a top cross piece 54.

At the rear end of the rack the lower end of the last connecting element43 is not provided with openings for pivotal connection, and therearmost partition forming U-shaped member 40 is provided with a crossrod 55 at its intermediate point corresponding with the upper pivotpoints of the great majority of -the lazy-tong forming elements. Withthe minor exceptions of the cross rods 5l and 55, which might well -beomitted in many cases, the only cross-connections of the doublelazy-tong rack are the cross -portions 42, 46, and 54 of thestandardized U-shaped wicket elements.

When this rack is collapsed it assumes the condition shown in Figure ZVof the drawings in which all of the inverted U-shaped wicket partitionelements 40 are brought together into contact and the alternate linkconnecting members 43, 44; and 53` are also brought into closejuxtaposition. Thus the rack may be compressedinto a compact collapsedform for shipment or storage.

When in its open usableposition as shown in Figure 1, the rack ismaintained' by the frictional contact of the many points of pivotalconnection of the lazy-tong structures. One of these points is shown indetail in Figure 3 of the drawings. Certain of the members, for examplethe members 40,.are provided with somewhat larger openings 58 than thecorresponding openings 59 in theother elements 43, 44. A shoulderedbushing 60 extends into the opening 58 and has a flange 6|' interposedbetween the two lazy-tong elements. The central opening of the bushing60 sof the samevdiameter as the opening 59 in the other elements and arivet 50 passes throughV these-registered openings. vThe rivet isprovided 'tionisshown in'Figure' of'the drawings.

4 open, closed, or intermediate position to which it may be adjusted,without the necessity of providing latches or other separable devices.

In Figure 4 of the drawings the basic lazytong structure with thepartition elements extended outwardly in one direction is retained,however with the rack tilted from the position shown in Figure l toprovide an inclined lazytong structure inwhich the shelves or partitionsare horizontally disposed, the rack being maintained in such position bythe extension of certain `of the connecting link members to formelongated legs.

In this embodiment the principal partition 1 members 'lfcorresponding tothe U-shaped members 40 in Figure l, are also of U-shapedconstructionfand areextended to about twice the length of the lazy-tongportion thereof. The uppermost partition member H is somewhat shorterthan the member 10 since it need not be extended beyond its firstpivotal connection with the rearmost connecting element. As in theembodiment shown in Figure l, the complementary lazy-tong-formingconnecting elements 12 and 13 are U-shaped and of simple strapconstruction similar to the elements 43 and 44 in Figure l. The foremostconnecting link 12 rests upon the supporting surface and is of the shortlength corresponding tothe extent of the lazytong connection. However,the rearmost connecting member 'l5 of the lazy-tong arrangement isextended vertically downwardly as at 1l to reach the supporting surface.Similarly an intermediate link 'Il is extended as at 18 to rest upon thesupporting surface 80. Both of these elongated elements 15 and 11 are ofU-shaped configuration having a lower bowed construction'8l, the sidearms of the element 1T being pivotally connected to one of thepartitions 1I in the usual way. The rearmost U-shaped supporting element15 has its side arms preferably connected by a cross bar 83.

This form of rack is well adapted for filing, collating, or the displayof merchandise in a horizontal position and may be collapsed to asmaller compass just as in the other cases.

A modication of the arrangement shown in Figure 4 is suggested in Figure5 of the drawings. In this construction the compartments are verticallyarranged with the inverted U-shaped elements disposed in verticalposition and connected in lazy-tong fashion by means of the links 9| and92, the elements 9| being U-shaped `to provide substantialcross-connection of the sides of the rack and the elements 92 beingsimple strip or link elements comparable to the partitions 44 in Figurel. The lowermost cross connecting element which rests upon thesupporting surface is a U-shaped member 83 having its crossbar 94extending outwardly of the device. The first vertical U-shaped membercorresponding to those'designated 90 is indicated at 90 and is shorterthan'the elements 90 by the distance between two adjacent pivotal points5l. The rearmost U-shaped member of the device is designated 95 and isextended downwardly as at 96'to provide an elongated supporting leg forthe rack, the side bars of the extension S6 being connected by a crossrod 91. Similarly, an intermediate one of the U-shaped partition membersdesignated S8 is extended downwardly as at 9! and provided with a crossrod |00.

A very convenientrack of the same general features which characterizethe present inven- This inbodiment exhibits certain features which are lemployed in both of the embodiments illustrated infFigures 4 and 5, andthe arrangement is such that the shelves or leaves of the device aredisposed in generally` horizontal position but slightly tilted forbetter display or retention of the sheets or other articles supported.In this embodiment the U-shaped partition or shelf elev ments areindicated at I I0 with certain modications of individual elements shownat and ||2. Alternating U-shaped and straight linklike connectingelements complete the lazy-tong structure, these connecting elementsbeing -indicated at ||4 and |l5respectively, a modication ofone of theconnecting elements being designated I|6. 1 e

I The uppermost partition or shelf-member I2 is somewhat shorter thanthe general run of partitions II and the next to the lowermost partitionelement differs from the standardized elements I I0 by being elongatedas at I IBrearwardly of the lazy-tong portion. The rearmost U-shapedconnecting member IIB has its side arms joined at the top by the crossbar |I9 and isprovided with an integral cross portion at the bottom,which rests upon the supporting surface |22. The rearwardly projectingends ||8 of the partition element III are pivotally connected to theside arms of the extended member I I6 asat |50.

The lowermost shelf or partition member is provided with an intermediatecross bar |23 and isV connected with the next higher partition memberIII by means of the short links |24. The rear end of the side arms ofthe lowermost member ||0 are pivotally connected as at I5| with thelower side wall portions of the lowermost connecting member II4, and thecross bar |26 of this U-shaped connecting member Ild is adapted also torest upon the surface |22.

In this way the shelf members ||0, and I I2 are disposed in slightlyinclined positions for better handling and display of the contents.

In Figure 7 of the drawings the rack, similar in most respects to theone shown in Figure 6 is shown in collapsed position in which thepartitions ||0, III, and ||2 are brought together into contact and theconnecting members which go to. complete the lazy-tong structure arealso brought into contact. It will be seen that extensions ||8 of thelegs of the second shelf converge toward the extended connecting linkmember ||6 and intersect at the pivotal connecting points |50.

In Figure 8 of the drawings there is illustrated an alternative positionfor the rack shown in Figure 6. In this case the shelves arehorizontally disposed, the rear portion of the rack being elevated bymeans of the supplemental leg com'- prising the pvotally supportedU-shaped member |30, the arms of which are pivoted as at |52 to pointsalong the extension I I8 of the shelf'l selected so that when the leg isswung to idle position, as indicated in Figure 6, the rearportion |3Ithereof will rest upon the cross strap |20 of the leg I6 and be retainedin that position: In Figure 8 however, the leg |30 is swung over anddownwardly so that its lower crossportion |3| rests upon the supportingsurface |22. In this case the lowermost shelf |||l rests substantiallyupon the surface |22 throughout its length, and all of the shelves aredisposed horizontally.

Still another utilization of the rack shown in Figure 6 is indicated inFigure 9 of the drawings. In this connection the rack is swung throughan angle of 90 from the position shown in Figure 8,

andthe lowernost partition f'iiis a loop' which .can be hung upon a hooksuch vas indi` cated at |40, whereby the device may be attached to awall or other vertical surface indicated at |4|. In this case the leg|30 assumesy the same extended position as shown in Figure 8 but isemployed as a brace or abutment for holdinguthe lower portion of therack away from the' wa A wide variety of uses of this rack will suggestitself to a printer, book binder, collator, orgeneral ofiice worker. Thesheets, cards or otherV material may be inserted in the pockets orcompartments of the rack in sorting or collating, and,`

if desired, papers or cards to be filed may be clamped within thepartitions by a partial collapsing of the rack, whereupon the rackand-its contents may be placed in a filing cabinetl desk, or otherreceptacle. y

Various changes and modications may be made in the embodimentsillustrated herein. without departing from the scope of the inven tionas-dened by the following claims. Y

Having thus described the invention, what is:u

' claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l 1. An extensible and collapsible rack of the class describedcomprising, in combination, a series of continually parallel, bowed,arched, U-

shaped, strap-like, wicket members each having' a pair of legs spacedtransversely of the rack, and a crossing arch portion extending from oneleg to the other at the outward portion of the rack, said wicket membersadapted to dene be- "tween them compartments for the reception ofarticles when the rack is in an extended position, and means cooperatingwith said wicket members to provide upon the respectivesides Vof therack a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tongstructures at the inward portionof the rack, said last named means including another series oficontinually parallel, bowed, arched, U-shaped, strap-like, wicketmembers, inverted with respect to said first named series and havingtheir legs overlapping the legs of the members of the first. namedseries, and means for frictionally pivotally securing said overlappinglegs separatelyV upon both sides of the rack at the plurality of pointsnecessary to afford said lazy-tong structure, said last named meanscomprising friction hinges, the pintles of which project transversely nofurther than necessary to connect the overlapping legs on the respectivesides of the rack.. the intermediate side portions adjacent the lazytongpivots thus being free of cross connections,

and the arch portions of the two sets of U-shapedV wicket members beingthe sole crossing elements from one side of the rack to the other atleast at all points intermediate the longitudinally spaced ends of therack.

2. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair ofspaced parallel lazy-tong structures each comprising crossing stripspivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for suchlazy-tong structure, the

corresponding pairs of opposite strips which extend in the samedirection on both of the lazytong structures extended outwardly from.the lazy-tong pivots and integrally connected across the rack by archportions to provide .a series of: wicket-like partition members formingpockets or compartments between successive wicket members, certain ofthe other corresponding opposite pairs of strips which extend in theother direction being prolonged to provide legs for supangle to anysurface upon which the rack fiscsupported and the partitionmembers arevapproximately `at right angles to the other set of strips.

`3. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair ofspaced parallellazy-tong structures each comprising crossing stripspivotally connected for the most part at thejthree usual points for suchlazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips whichAextend in the same direction on both of the lazy-tong structuresextending outwardly from the lazytongipivotsand integrally connectedacross the rackV by arch portions to provide a series of wicket-likepartitions forming pockets or compartments between successive wickets,the other corresponding opposite pairs ofstrips which form the lazy-tongstructures beingY ofsubstantially equal length and being shorter thanthe extended partition forming wickets, certain of said wickets alsobeing prolongedin the opposite direction to provide a leg forsupportingvthe rackA in a position in which the lazy-tong structures areinclined at a substantial angle with respect to the horizontal whilesaid wickets are disposed in an approximately vertical position.

4. An extensible and collapsible rack of the class-described comprising,in combination, a series of continually parallel, bowed, arched, U-shaped, strap-like, wicket members each having a pair of legs spacedtransversely of the rack and a, crossing arch portion extending from oneleg to 'the other at the outward portion of the rack,

and means cooperating with said wicket` members to-provide upon therespective sides of the rack a Vpair of spaced parallel lazy-tongstructures at the inward portion of the rack, said last named meansincluding another series of continually parallel, bowed, arched,U-shaped, straplike, wicket members, inverted with respect to said rstnamed series and having their legs overlapping the. legs of the membersof the lrst named series, Yand means for frictionally pivotally securingsaid overlapping legs separately upon both sides of the rack at theplurality of points necessary to aord said lazy-tong structure, thewickets of .one of said series providing parallel partition elementsdefining between them compartments for the reception of articles whenthe rack is in an extended position, atleast one of said wicket membersof one of said series being prolonged well beyond the extent vof ,theothers of the same series to provide .a leg for supporting the rack in aposition in which the lazy-tong structures are inclined at asubstantial-angle with-respect to the horizontal, .while the wickets ofone of said series occupy parallel planes which do not departsubstantiallyfrom the horizontal.

5.1An extensible and collapsible rack of the class described comprising,in combination, a series-of continually parallel, bowed, arched, U-shaped, strap-like,I wicket members each having a pair oflegs'spaced'transversely of the rack and a crossingv arch portion Yextendingl from Aone legto the other ,at the outward portion of therack, and means cooperating with said wicket members to provide upon therespective sidesof the crack a pair of spaced parallel lazy-tongstructures at the inward portion of the rack, said last named meansincluding another series of continually paralleL-bowed arched, U-shaped,strap-like, wicket members, inverted with respect togsaidv irstnamed`vseries and havingtheir legs overlapping the legsof the members of thefirst,

named series, and means for frictionally pivotally securing saidoverlapping legs separately upon both sides of,v the rack at theplurality of points necessary to aiord said lazy-tong structure, thewickets of one of said series providing parallel partition elementsdening between them compartments for the reception of articles when therack is in an extended position, two of said wicket members, includingone from each of said series, adjacent the respective opposite ends ofthe rack being prolonged upon the same side of the lazy-tong structuresuntilthey meet. and a pivotal connection between said wicket members attheir point of intersection, the pivoted prolongations providingpropmeans for supporting the rack in a position inuwhich the lazy-tongstructures are inclined to the horizontal.

6; A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pairofspaced parallel lazy-tong structures eachv composed of crossing stripspivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for suchlazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips whichextend in the same direction on both of the lazytong structures extendedoutwardly from the lazy-tong-,pivots and integrally connected across therack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments between successivearches, at least one pair of arch connected strips adjacent onev end ofthe rack being prolonged inwardly from said pivot points andat least oneof the pairs of oppositely extendingy cooperating lazy-tong-formingstrips adjacent the otherend of the rack being inwardly prolonged untilthey intersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pair and are pivotallyconnected thereto,the connected prolongations interfering in no way withthe collapsing of the rack and providing a bracing support therefor.

7. A rack ofthe `class described comprising, in combination, a pair ofspaced parallel lazy-tong structures each composed of crossing stripspivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for suchlazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips whichextend in the same direction on both of the lazytong structures extendedoutwardly from the lazy-tong pivots and integrally connected across therack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments between successivearches, one pair ofv archconnected strips namely the second pair fromone end of the rack being prolonged inwardly from said pivot points andthe pair of oppositely extending cooperating lazy-tongforming stripsatthe other end of the rack being inwardly prolonged until theyintersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pair and are pivotallyconnected thereto, the connected prolongations interfering in no waywith the collapsing of the rackand providing a bracing support formaintainingthe rack` in a slightly tilted position.

V8. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair ofspaced parallel lazy-tong structures each composed of crossing stripspivotally. connected for the most part at the three usual points forsuch lazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite stripswhich extend in .the same direction on both of the lazytong structuresextended outwardly from the lazy-tong pivots `and integrally connectedacross the rack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments betweensuccessive arches, one pair of arch connected strips namely the secondpair fromone end of th@ rack beingprolonged inwardly from said pivotpoints and one of the pairs of oppositely extending cooperatinglazy-tongforming strips at the other end of the rack being inwardlyprolonged until they intersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pairand are pivotally connected thereto, the connected prolongationsinterfering in no way with the collapsing of the rack and providing abracing structure therefor, a leg pivoted to said bracing structure andproviding an optionally usable supplemental support or brace formaintaining said rack in upright position.

9. A rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair ofspaced parallel lazy-tong structures each composed of crossing stripspivotally connected for the most part at the three usual points for suchlazy-tong structure, the corresponding pairs of opposite strips whichextend in the same direction on both of the lazy-tong structuresextended outwardly from the lazy-tong pivots and integrally connectedacross the rack by arch portions to form pockets or compartments betweensuccessive arches, one pair of arch connected strips namely the secondpair from one end of the rack being prolonged inwardly from said pivotpoints and one of the pairs of oppositely extending cooperatinglazy-tongforrning strips at the other end of the rack being inwardlyprolonged until they intersect said rst named inwardly prolonged pairand are pivotally connected thereto, the connected prolongationsinterfering in no way with the collapsing of the rack and providing abracing structure therefor, a U-shaped, bail-like leg pivoted to saidfirst named pairs of prolongations and providing an optionally usablesupplemental support or brace for maintaining said rack in uprightposition.

10. The rack as set forth in claim 9 in which there is provided across-connection joining the intersections of the said prolongations onthe respective sides of the rack, the points of pivotal connections ofsaid bail-like leg with one of said pairs of prolongations being spacedfrom said cross-connection a distance less than the length of said leg,whereby said cross-connection serves as a retaining rest for said legwhen the latter is not in use.

LUTHER W. EVANS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 784,035 Connard Mar. 7, 19051,266,244 Fortmann May 14, 1918 1,465,691 Snedeker Aug. 21, 19232,274,772 Bitney Mar. 3, 1942 2,310,770 Evans Feb. 9, 1943

